“Twin-row crop production is increasing in popularity due to the potential yield advantages by narrowing corn rows,” says Bill Hoeg, Case IH planter sales and marketing manager in North America.
“Case IH Twin-Row planters allow producers to increase plant populations without having to make any new investments or major modifications to existing harvesting or spraying equipment.
"Essentially, you change your planter and everything else remains the same as it was with 30-inch, 36-inch, 38-inch or 40-inch rows.”
The concept involves staggering seed in two rows, eight inches apart, on 30-inch, 36-inch, 38-inch or 40-inch centers. Therefore, a corn head set for 30-inch, 36-inch, 38-inch or 40-inch rows can harvest twin rows at the same time.
This technology is not just for those who want more bushels of corn per acre or higher tonnage corn silage.
“Twin-row technology can also be used with other row crops, such as soybeans, cotton, milo and sunflowers,” says Hoeg. “Twin-row production is often credited for increased standability of crops, and this system utilizes a higher percentage of an acre compared to standard row widths.”
The planters have eight inches between each of the twin-row pairs. They are fitted with 25 Series row units that have an optional floating residue manager or coulter, standard seed firmers, and cast or spider closing wheels.
Heavy-duty, down-pressure springs provide up to 500 pounds of pressure to penetrate packed soil and slice through tough residue. Offset 15-inch 4-millimeter blades further contribute to the penetration, accuracy and cutting ability.
Additionally, the planters feature an Air-Pro metering system that uses a hydraulic fan to provide positive air to the meters for exceptional accuracy.
For 2013, Case IH will offer the following Twin-Row planter models:
- 825A3P – This rigid-mounted 8-row-wide planter has positive ground drive and a 1.6-bushel hopper on each row.
- 4025A3PS – This stack-fold planter is available in 12-row-wide and 16-row 30-inch configurations with either an 82-bushel hopper or a customer-supplied ProBox.
The planter folds to a transport width of 25 feet with extra clearance down low for bridges, signs or other obstacles. Row markers also fold down to reduce transport height. A hydraulic seed drive is standard. Weight transfer to the wings is optional.
- 1225A FF and 1625A FF – These front-fold planter models, with hydraulic seed drive, are available in 12- and 16-row 30-inch configurations. They feature an 82- or 150-bushel hopper, or may be used with a customer-supplied ProBox. Two optional 200-gallon fertilizer tanks are available. Transport width is 13 feet 6 inches.
This new line of Twin-Row planters is an expansion from the company’s existing Early Riser planter lineup. FG
—From Case IH news release
PHOTO
Photo courtesy of Case IH.
